Third time lucky... And I want a house

wellpaidstillskint

Hello all,

My first post as a debt free wannabe *gulp*
Why do I feel embarrassed when I know this is anonymous?!

I'm 27 and I live alone with my cat in a nice rented flat (for nice read at the tippity top of my budget). BF of 4 years runs (fledgling) own business so lives with his parents... This is my third serious go at getting debt free.

I'm on a good salary (26k) but living alone is expensive and a long commute means the petrol bill puts a big dent in my budget (even tho I car share). But the main problem is...

:eek: I AM AN EMOTIONAL SHOPPER. :eek:

I know this, and in the last 18 months acknowledging the problem + a short course of talking therapy (nowhere near as scary as it sounds - and you should have a free local provider, talk to your GP!) to address some of my underlying issues (mostly perfectionism and self criticism) have helped massively, and I now have other ways of getting that feeling of acquisition I get from a good old shop (btw - I was just as bad in the supermarket as in the clothes shops, 'stocking up' on way more food than I need... seriously I could barely get the freezer door closed)

Posting pictures of the things I love to a blog is almost as good as buying them, PLUS blogging is a creative way to get out the weird emotions that I used to control by shopping. I'm not sure anyone actually reads my posts but that's not the point.

Anyway. This is supposed to be a debt diary, so here goes. My goal is to be debt free and have a little bit of money for a house deposit at the end.

Today's balance...
Credit Cards: -£8663.73
House fund: +£150*

*I know you're supposed to use savings to pay off debts, but I have a Save2Buy account with Nationwide - paying into it regularly gives access to a better range of mortgages.

Almost all of my credit card debt is currently interest free, but those deals won't last, so lets get repaying!!

xxx

wellpaidstillskint

Update... Today I have:

RETURNED about £150 worth of clothes to H&M and Next Directory (I've been trying out looks for an upcoming wedding... dress budget, £30)

LISTED 30 books for sale on Amazon

LISTED a curtain and a lampshade on ebay

SPENT £7 on lunch for me and one of my team

Lemon_Tree

well done for returning some stuff, that's a lot of money you haven't added to your debts.
Never be embarassed to be on here, it's actually a really positive step, and 'unfortunately' is likely to become an addiction that will help you stop your emotional spending along with all the other tools you've learnt.
keep on posting and have a look around at the challenges out there on the boards.

wellpaidstillskint

Thanks Lemon Tree

I've already been getting inspiration from the boards on ebaying as much stuff as possible!

Yours,
Future Addict

wellpaidstillskint

One of my books has sold already... I think once the postage is out the way I'll make about £5 but it's a start.

Did have a naughty weekend but I had friends staying so will just be a very good girl for the rest of the month. PROMISE.

wellpaidstillskint

Well the numbers are looking a teeny bit better already...

Today's balance...
Credit Cards: -£7302.15
House fund: +£200

I found a dress for the summer wedding - £14.99

I sold the lampshade, the curtain, and one book this week... Not a bad start.

wellpaidstillskint

Naughty moneysaver... i've not been posting at all!

I've taken the drastic step of moving in with my parents about 6 weeks ago... and the money is spilling over. I've got enough squirrelled away to cover all my upcoming expenses (christmas, another family wedding, a weekend away, and my car insurance) and still making nice healthy overpayments on my credit cards (highest interest first of course!)

Roll on a bumper baking session and home-made Christmas cards and gifts...

xx

beanielou

Looking good

wellpaidstillskint

Thanks to an unexpected pay rise, some very dedicated 'staying in and cooking' type socialising, and generally staying out of the shops I'm doing pretty well. Car insurance is paid for the year, MOT is out of the way.

Credit Cards -£ 5,710.72 (now all interest free too!)
House Fund + £608.10

And I'm owed £500 back from my flat deposit...

I CAN do this!

wellpaidstillskint

Just a wee update... I applied for my mortgage this week!!

£4000 in the bank towards my deposit (I had a gift for the rest), zero balance on my credit cards.

People, it is possible!

x

Broke_Kitty

Wow congrats, you've done amazingly! hope I can be in a similar position to you this time next year